Abstract

Background

The diabetic heart exhibits a reduced tolerance to metabolic stress resulting in higher susceptibility to injury and heart failure yet the underlying mechnisms of reduced tolerance are not fully defined. We hypothesized that impairment in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and increased oxidative stress can contribute to enhanced myocardial vulnerability to injury in the diabetic heart.

Results

When compared to nDM, DM had variable but statistically significant reduction in the activity of OXPHOS complexes I, II, IV and V (Panel A). This correlated with enhanced level of 4-HNE, a marker of oxidative stress, in patients with DM (Panel B).

Conclusions

Impairment of atrial mitochondrial energetics and increased oxidative stress in patients with DM could contribute to myocardial dysfunction and enhanced susceptibility of diabetic heart to injury.